Suspended, horizontally rotating seats, elliptical rotation and an increasing sense of zero gravity are the exciting features of Zierer’s new Ellipse Flyer. The ride is arranged in four gondolas and holds space for 32 passengers. Its standard industrial, tech-heavy design with the possible added option of artificial smoke creates the illusion for passengers of being part of a giant engine in motion.
Once passengers are seated in the Ellipse Flyer’s foam cushioned seats and their safety bars are closed, a hydraulic system lowers the boarding platform and the gondola arms begin to swing the gondola units. The four gondolas each meanwhile also begin to rotate.
Passengers reach the highest elliptical rotation point of the ride after a few swings of the gondola arms followed by an entire rotation with an increasing sense of zero gravity. Rotations in both directions become possible by also having the gondolas moving down backwards when they are halting at the top position. The four gondolas (each composed of eight seats) rotate horizontally and allow for a panoramic view in three dimensions of movement. As a special highlight feature, the Ellipse Flyer’s gondola arms can be stopped at a height of approx. 10 meters and provide a 360° all-round view of the amusement park.
The Ellipse Flyer includes redundantly designed safety bars with hydraulic storage cylinders that are also monitored by a PLC fail-safe system during the entire ride cycle. The safety bars are manually closed by trained operating personnel, before the start of each cycle. Control LEDs serve as a further safety element, which simultaneously indicate on each seat as well as on the control panel that the bars have reached their necessary minimum closing position. The parallel and mutually independent safety control functions of this ride system assure each passenger an absolutely carefree leisure time experience.
Martin Weichselgartner, Zierer managing director, said: “The Ellipse Flyer, according to our objectives, shall enrich the worldwide landscape of amusement parks by furnishing an exciting new innovation to their attractions.”
“And for those who were thrilled by our other rides, as with the Star Shape, they will be excited about our Ellipse Flyer, too. A ride on the Ellipse Flyer will be a turbulent experience in its literal sense.”
